Proposals are now being accepted for the Film & History Area. Join us next year as a returning or first-time participant at the Marriott Rivercenter in vibrant San Antonio, Texas (just steps from the popular Riverwalk). The Southwest/Texas Popular & American Culture Associations’ annual meeting is one of the largest interdisciplinary conferences of scholars, including numerous academics from abroad. The 32nd annual SW/TX ACA/PCA meeting will take place jointly with the PCA/ACA national conference – offering even more areas of interest.

Our area is concerned with the impact of motion pictures on our society and how films represent and interpret history. Presentations can, for example, feature analyses of individual films and/or TV programs from historical perspectives, surveys of documents related to the production of films, or analyses of history and culture as explored through film. Genres could include historical films attempting to define history, propaganda films, documentaries, docudramas, newsreels and broadcast media, war films, music videos and concert films, reality shows, avant-garde, cinema verite, actualities, and direct cinema.

Listed below are some suggestions for possible presentations and/or panels, but topics not included here are also welcome:

Christoph Laucht, Co-Chair Film & History
Lecturer in History (University of Liverpool, United Kingdom)
Email: laucht@liverpool.ac.uk

Include a 200-300 word abstract with a two-part working title (as well as a CV and contact information) for each potential presenter. Please mention the conference or the ‘Film & History’ area in the subject line.

Professors, independent scholars, teachers, and professionals are encouraged to participate. Graduate students are particularly welcome at the conference, which offers awards for the best graduate papers. Please note that the SW/TX PCA/ACA does not generally accept previously presented (or published) papers. Further, it permits only one presentation per person per year. The conference features numerous individual subject areas – each with its own Area Chair, and each typically including multiple conference panels. Therefore, please refrain from submitting the same paper to more than one appropriate area.

Information about our areas of study, graduate student awards, conference travel, lodging, and the organization can be found on our regularly updated website: